La Times: Admit it, The Force Awakens stinks

That's because no one like that movie. I was about the only person around in school who liked it, and the only reason I liked it was because I grew up on swashbuckling pirate movies from "the old days" (Mutiny on the Bounty, Billy Bud, etc...), Zoro (B&W), The Lone Ranger, and the Dukes of Hazard, and I lived on a military airfield. So ROTJ, to this 4 through 8 years old boy was fantastic!
It has a ship on ship battle scene, explosions, spaceship battles, fencing with lightsabers, the hero in a cool black suit, and of course...the ever cool Darth Vader.
My only complaint as a kid was that these scenes weren't longer and that there were all these other not-these-scenes parts of the movie involved.

(Oh, and speeder bikes!! )

 

For my part, I enjoyed every Star Wars movies... But The Phantom Menace...I tried so hard to love it... I just couldn't...though, it gave us, IMO, the best movie making of documentary ever with The Beginning.

You basically see all the efforts put in the film, and the reason why it failed to deliver.

 

Just to follow up, the business columnist is looking at the film as a business move. To summarize...

A guy who looks down his nose at the original Star Wars as a basically an art-less blockbuster film made for teens with no real depth, that re-used things from serials, Buck Rogers, etc.

He now looks down his nose at The Force Awakens saying it's an art-less blockbuster film made for as many people as possible with no real depth, that re-uses things from the original trilogy.

His major point is that Disney is a big business and intends to make tons of money with Star Wars, therefore won't put out anything edgy, that fans might not like.

I think I can deal with Disney making films that are like the originals that are trying desperately to make me happy so I'll give them money.

I would love to see this same kind of argument about some other product.

"Have you heard? McDonalds has purchased Subway and is pouring money into... get this... making sandwiches *everyone* will love by using tried and true ingredients. They should be trying out wild flavors to inspire us! The obvious mass appeal approach takes any meaning out of their 6" now, it's not even a sandwich as far as I'm concerned, just a dollar sign!"

 

So to summarise someone who enjoys The Force Awakens wouldn't know the difference between a real piece of art and a cheap knockoff, tends to follow the herd, isn't a critical thinker, is pathetic, is holding on to the past, is blinded by illusions. Right? That about sums it up?

 

Star Wars film is overwhelming positive and well received.

News article puts a clickbait title in order to get them views and publicity.

Guess the movie sucks and my enjoyment of it was an illusion made by JJ Abrams.

Thank you to such posters such as DFF and Count Dooku, you have opened my eyes to the truth.

 

Why should I admit something that is just not true for me?

 

I think a few fascinating things are happening that are causing people to not only look over a great many flaws, but passionately defend TFA.

To the point of trashing the OT.

1. The first is Disneys evil genius. In hindsight, it was brilliant to be so secretive about the plot. Had more details of the Starkiller plot leaked, people would have had a chance to think critically before falling in love with the new cast or get caught in the hype.

2. Everyone involved is so damn like able, I think people are (even unknowingly) hesitant to criticize something they were involved in.

Boyega, daisy, oscar- they are not just talented but very likable and enthusiastic.

JJ is essentially a salesman. When was the last time a director of a major film went on the late night circuit?

JJ is the cool boss you want to work for because his enthusiasm helps you forget how little you are getting paid to do crap work.

He's far from a great writer and director. But he is a likable guy. I doubt even his closest friends have the heart to say "JJ this makes no sense"

He is also the new guy. Star Wars essentially hung up a "under new management" sign. People are pulling for the new management. They painted and now give free bread. The main dishes will get better, just be patient.

3. If people were to admit their disappointment, it would basically mean that a franchise they love so much let them down 4 movies in a row- maybe 5. I think this also leads a lot if people to just focus on the positive.

4. For the reasons above and just pure excitement , people liked the flick before they even saw it. There were threads predicting it would be as good as Empire- before anyone even knew the plot.

5. Groupthink. People not only hear each other talk about how much they love the film, but make outrageous excuses for the many holes. So they think "yeah it's not a big deal". Even stooping to bash the originals and compare TFA to inception or something.

6. Many on here are confusing plotting a trilogy and shared universe with lazy writing. I have never heard so many people say stuff like. "It's in the novel, JJ explained this, Pablo explained this, the art book explains it, the sequel will explain this" ...all that stuff should be optional. None of that stuff should be required for this film to make sense, it should stand on it's own.

7. People haven't kept track of everything that will be "addressed in 8". That flick is going to be 3 hours long apparently. And again, a film can leave room for sequels and still stand on it's own.

Again, TFA is a fun flick with a great cast. But the way people are over rating it, getting emotionally defensive over it, tearing down other movies, etc- it's just crazy.

 

Hate is an emotion too.

 

Oh you reminded me of another.

To not like TFA, to expect more before a film can be called great, to want to talk about it at a deeper level, is being a hater or crybaby.

I honestly haven't seen someone able to defend TFA without calling names, or bashing the OT, or telling me to read a companion book, etc.

This movie does not stand on it's own.

Period. Even the defenses show that.

Btw, the only thing I "hated" was how JJ took the original big 3 backwards for nastalgia.

The rest I just recognize as poor writing

 

This is a fan discussion forum.
Pointing out that passion both for and against the object of that fandom plays a large role isn't really all that daring or original I'm afraid.
However pointing out that the defenders of the movie are emotional and/or in denial, but the detractors base their none enjoyment exclusively on objectifiable truth. . .
well I don't need to call that what it is.

But I'm game if you want to quantify how "people are over rating it, getting emotionally defensive over it, tearing down other movies, etc".
If that is the readily apparent tone of this board to you I don't think there is much to be gained from engaging with your perspective.
In fact I would call this community rather fair. If not outright friendly.

 

Let's grant that you are absolutely correct about your prediction for argument's sake.
Why do you think seeking refuge in an arbitrary sense of majority changes the substance of your own subjective reaction?

 

Why is this thread not locked yet?

 

The trolls need a cave to live in.

 

Really? And here I was reading that I 'wouldn't know the difference between a real piece of art and a cheap knockoff', tend to follow 'the herd', am not a 'critical thinker', am 'pathetic', holding on to the past blinded by illusions all because I fell for the con man JJ unable to admit my disappointment.

Ok then.



Bye bye. And yes, thread should be locked. Had enough of these here tantrums.

 

.... is this post an attempted Jedi Mind Trick?

If the number of people sharing a viewpoint somehow ratify that viewpoint, I propose that you should immediately bow to your own logic and become an overwhelming fan of TFA.

I will try my own mind trick at this point...

One day you're gonna wake up in a good mood, watch TFA and actually have a good time.... then realize that is the point of the movie to begin with. You will realize that whatever criticisms of the movie you have are not fatal to it's enjoyment, or even all that detrimental to it, unless you want to insist on it. Your negativism will be lost to the wind like methane wafting from your pile of bantha poodo.

 

That would be the review of McDonalds by a French existentialist.

 

Ok, now it's getting on my nerves.

Here is MY OPINION.

Haters now are just trying very hard to draw attention to themselves.

We get it:

JJ is the worst director of all time and rips off other movies just for cash.
TFA destroyed Star Wars for you.
It's the worst movie of all time.
The actors were awful.
The music, the sound were awful.

Guys! It'll be 2 weeks the movie has been released, and HERE COMES THE NEWS:

People that still love Star Wars ans are interested on the upcoming films are now speculating on facts and elements of the movie(s). What will come next, what this or that scene meant, the characters, etc.

You did not like TFA, well, sorry about that.
Good news is: Hateful Eight opens this week, and The Revenant next... and the Original Trilogy is still available on Blu-Ray.

I really encourage you debate and I cherish your opinion, what I am irritated about is the flood of new threads just to troll with your hatred for JJ Abrams.
In my very humble opinion, you are wasting valuable time from your life.
If your goal is to transform the Cantina into a garbage dump, good job!

--- Double Post Merged, Dec 29, 2015, Original Post Date: Dec 29, 2015 ---

I hate to be personal here but, DFF, you started bashing on the movie 5 days before its release, the day you arrived on the boards, and it's non-stop since then.
And you have 209 posts since then.

It's a lot of activity on a board for a movie you hate.

 

Didn't like TFA? I feel sorry for you.